Manchester United have suffered a double injury blow after Erik ten Hag revealed that both Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez will not be back before Christmas.
The Man Utd manager issued the bad news in his pre-match press conference as his side aim to secure another vital three points against Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League.
“I have some time schedules but it’s always difficult to predict that because there can be setbacks during a rehab period,” Ten Hag told the club's official website.
“I’m always holding back a little bit on such issues. I expect some players back [soon] but Casemiro and Martinez are really strong injuries – I don’t expect them back before Christmas. It's several weeks [out for Casemiro].”
Positive news elsewhere
Ten Hag did give some better news though as he revealed that Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof will travel with the squad to Copenhagen.
“[He is] 100 per cent [ready],” Ten Hag said. “Rashy missed one game [with] a small knock, but he’s back.”
Maguire suffered a head injury in last Saturday's win against Fulham but was able to carry on in the match, and help his side secure a much needed 1-0 victory.
“So, we did all the protocols during the game, after the game, he’s ready to play,” Ten Hag said on Maguire.
Man Utd go into the contest needing another positive result to keep their hopes alive in Group A of the Champions League.
They have three points after as many matches, but could move up to second in their group with a win, and if Bayern Munich avoid defeat against Galatasaray.